Press

A trumpeter cultivates roots in two cities

A Ruffins performance is less a concert than a celebration of his city's culture. And though he's not quite ready to drag his grill from New Orleans to Houston, Ruffins has sunk roots here, too. He's a partner at the Axelrad Beer Garden, a space that opened last month on West Alabama at the far fringes of Midtown, Third Ward, the Museum District and Montrose. The trumpet player has a standing gig at the venue every Wednesday, where he plays and sings and offers a taste of his hometown in Houston.

New Southern Beer Halls

Axelrad Beer Garden Houston, Texas

Sip a Saint Arnold Berliner Weisse—a Houston-made German-style sour wheat beer—and explore the renovated century-old Axelrad food market. The midtown oasis, on the corner of Alameda and Alabama Streets, honors the global crossroads of Houston with beer taps designed by a South American artist. Claim a hammock outside and while away the afternoon.

Axelrad Beer Garden opens its doors, and with it, its expansive patio

Axelrad Beer Garden (1517 Alabama St.) opened its doors to little fanfare ahead of its official grand opening, which will be on a yet-to-be-determined date in January.

The indoor/outdoor watering hole features wine in addition to the 31 beers on tap and 95 packaged items, including bottles, cans and bombers. Primarily focusing on craft beers, Axelrad's lineup of suds includes the Houston-brewed 8th Wonder and Buffalo Bayou.

"We're trying to be as local as possible, and I want to have at least half of my draught wall as local beers," Elise Capers, general manager of the bar, said, though she was also quick to point out that they want to highlight national and European favorites as well.

Houston's 20 Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings of Fall 2015

Who: Owners Monte Large, Adam Brackman and Jeff Kaplan.What: The beer garden will offer a curated selection of 25 craft beers on tap and have additional brews in cans and bottles in a sprawling setting with an eclectic mix of art, lush landscaping, a covered deck, balcony seating and a hammock garden. Live music will be a strong draw. When: Early to mid-SeptemberWhere:1517 Alabama St.

MIDTOWN/MONTROSE — Axelrad Beer Garden is the latest concept to head to the neighborhood where HCC -Central is based. The beer garden, which is led be the team Monte Large, Adam Brackman and Jeff Kaplan, will be housed in a 2,000 sq. ft. century-old building, will feature 250 seats and even hammocks on the expansive lot. Expect minimalist interior from a collaboration between architect Craig Garcia of Gage Design and Gin Braverman of gindesignsgroup, along with chic furnishings by New Living artisans. Landscape architect Jenny Janis is also tied to the project. Axelrad will feature craft beers, including 25 on tap and will partner with neighbor, Luigi's, for a BYOB pizza program. The anticipated opening date is set for sometime in September. [Houston Chronicle]

Century-Old Axelrad Building Sees New Life as Beer Garden

Opening within arm’s reach of Luigi’s, one of Houston’s finest pizza joints, Axelrad Beer Garden is hoping to inspire Houstonians to slow down, enjoy good company, and imbibe great beer.

Featuring a massive beer garden, the new spot will have a hammock grove, lawn games, live music, and plenty of open space to sit back and relax. Their thirty-one taps will have something for everyone, with a focus on local favorites, national gems, and style classics. If that isn’t enough, their deep bottle and can selection will surely contain an old stand-by or a new favorite.

"Axelrad conversion to beer garden under way"

While across the street the HCC-owned old villa that had stood vacant but adorned with vibrant colors as a result of an "art attack" (some, including the Houston Chronicle, experienced it as an eyesore, though that's a matter of taste), a brighter future is in store for the historic Axelrad Building in the NW corner Almeda and Alabama. The two-story red-brick structure is in the first stage of renovation for adaptive reuse, with dilapidated windows and frames being replaced.

"Midtown has plenty of places to party, but the growing neighborhood still lacks places to relax. That's all set to change this fall thanks to the Axelrad Beer Garden. A project by local investors Monte Large, Adam Brackman and Jeff Kaplan, Axelrad will serve as a beer garden, bar and neighborhood gathering point. "